We are passing through a very difficult time in our history, as a nation and as a community within that nation. Pent-up frustration, fear and anger are overwhelming civility in public discourse. Nationally, our leaders vilify those who do not agree with them ideologically. They accuse each other of undermining the fundamentals of our country's greatness and ascribe political motives. They seem oblivious to the personal harm they are doing as they impugn the reputations of those who disagree with them. They also show no respect for the public offices to which their opponents were duly elected and appointed. They seem willing to bring down our entire society and economy simply because we have disparate views and will not conform to a single political, social or economic ideology. For them, the majority does not rule and the established remedies in our political processes are inadequate.
In our own community, there have been a number of issues that have polarized us recently. Two of the more glaring relate to our future environmental viability and to how the prosecution of a serious crime has impacted our personal and social standards of behavior. While both of these issues are important and significant, their courses of development and resolution have been very distinct. Our ecological concerns are being addressed for the most part in lively public debate that is centered on the efficacy of the proposals presented. Both sides are very passionate, but in general they have taken the high road and we are the better for it.
In stark contrast, the concerns surrounding what is arguably the most significant local, criminal case in recent memory continue to spiral downward in a vortex of hatred and revenge. The matter has been fully adjudicated. Nevertheless, the public sniping continues. With the legal case no longer at issue, the public passion has degenerated to personal attacks on character and motivation.
All three of these scenarios point to the same conclusion. We are a passionate people with divergent views. Our history binds us as a society in the belief that we are stronger together than we could ever be individually. Implicit in this is our understanding that when matters are settled, we must come back together. This is what we call healing.
Healing is a process, and it is somewhat deceptive. Wounds seem to close early when in fact the process beneath the surface may continue a lot longer. Healing also leaves scars that only fade with time but never really disappear. In fact, our scars serve as a reminder of the harm that was done, so we never really forget. Even when we are declared "good as new," we will continue to feel a twinge of pain or some soreness, every now and then.
The speed and success of healing depends on a number of things apart from our natural ability to heal. If the wound is cleaned and wrapped, it will improve faster. If it is picked and left exposed, it will become infected and the entire body will suffer.
In the human body, healing is both a process and goal. In the realm of the human spirit, healing is the process, but peace is the goal. No matter how dire the consequences or how deep the hurt, our spirit must heal and each of us must come to peace. Only when we are at peace are we able to discern the truth. Only then are we able to perceive God's wisdom in the ordinary events of our life. Only then can we know what he would have us do and gain the courage to go forward.
The fact that the pace of healing is different in each of us suggests it is a very personal matter. All of us need space and time to commune with God, to seek his counsel and bring about the changes in our life that will restore us to peace. We must end the influence in our life of those who espouse hatred, defamation and revenge. We must be especially vigilant of those who ostensibly call for healing but whose comments are laced with innuendo ascribing guilt, responsibility and hidden agenda to others.
Nothing significant, lasting and good has ever come to a society from the top down. When Jesus spoke on behalf of his father, he spoke to the common folk. When he encountered his disciples after his resurrection he said, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid." We should take comfort in these words and move forward beyond our fears with courage.
It is said that when healing is complete, the scar tissue that remains is stronger than the ordinary skin surrounding it. These struggles will make our community stronger and better, but only when the healing is complete and we are at peace again.
Randy Velez is a local Catholic deacon.
Columns
We have divergent views, but we must come back together to heal
- Big Chuck D'Imperio
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My pal Brucie, savior of Sidney's hospital
Ask any hospital administrators if they've ever heard of a closed hospital in New York state that has ever been re-opened. They will say, "Impossible." In a half century of going through records you can't find any.
Continued ... - Catching a whiff of 'Vermont Vapor'
- Selections from the virtual mailbag
- Recalling days of 'Doughnut King'
- Opera great's visit still a thrilling memory
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My pal Brucie, savior of Sidney's hospital
- Cary Brunswick
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We've become our own worst enemies
The past month has been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
Continued ... - Plenty of blame to go around for Bangladesh horror
- Obama is going against his word on Social Security
- Reflecting on a Florida trip
- Those magnificent spies in their flying machines
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We've become our own worst enemies
- Chuck Pinkey
- Guest Column
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Records seizure is an insult to free press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
Continued ... - The evangelical view of same-sex marriage
- Manor's fate will be Otsego board's legacy
- A closer look at our economy - Part II
- Use fracking to fill budget gaps
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Records seizure is an insult to free press
- Lisa Miller
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A view from above
Fire towers in the Catskill Mountains have always been destination points, built to capture some of the region’s best views. These sentinel stations served an important role for the earliest possible sightings of forest fires in the remote mountain ranges. But the fire towers and those who manned them fulfilled a multitude of other roles as well.
Continued ... - Being a parent is a constant learning process
- Healthy doesn't have to mean expensive
- A family era ends with close of Potter series
- Independent stores make up for loss of Borders
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- Mark Simonson
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General Clinton Canoe Regatta got a new home in 1972
Ever since 1963, when Charles Hinkley and a group of Tri-Town businessmen came up with the idea for what we know today as the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, people lined the shores of the Susquehanna to watch the canoeists as they made their 70-mile trek from Cooperstown to Bainbridge.
Continued ... - Sunday movies in Oneonta finally shown in 1934
- Politics, fitness and landmarks dominated local news in May 1968
- Local people sought income in many ways in 1933
- Local windstorm in 1983 caused tense moments
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- Rick Brockway
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Kids have sparkle in their eyes
When I was in my teens, old Bill Naatz told me about a stream north of Lake George where a man had panned out enough gold to make his wife a wedding band. It was all rumors, but to his grandson and myself, it sounded like the makings of a great adventure.
- People make the outdoors even better
- Turkey season has ups and downs
- Spring air isn't always the freshest
- Adriondacks keep growing and growing
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Kids have sparkle in their eyes
- Sam Pollak
- William Masters
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Schreibman tops Chris Gibson on women's issues
As the time to vote draws near, we need to remember how money can run politics more than we can. Raising funds is a prominent (if not the dominant) task of getting elected. Raising issues is also crucial, but those efforts are subject to distortion and fear-mongering.
- Republicans feelentitled to allthey can garner An entitlement is a legal benefit available from the government to individuals who are within a defined category of recipients, such as needing insurance for unemployment or health services.
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Romney focuses on self; Obama emphasizes unity
Mitt Romney criticizes President Obama for saying a person's success is rooted in his community, and is not all his alone. Romney belittles this with his belief in individual initiative. He is better at the put-down than the push-up.
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Romney shows little regard for common man
The Republicans in Congress have voted over and over, 33 times, redundantly and uselessly, to rescind what they call Obamacare.
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Scouts' gay ban creates problem where none exists
The Boy Scouts of America's "emphatic reaffirmation" of its vow to exclude any and all homosexuals from its hallowed ranks is ill-considered and pathetic, especially in view of its having reviewed the matter for two years.
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Schreibman tops Chris Gibson on women's issues
